The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1887-03-26

hole puhcheu through 1t, which no one
but blind old Mr.. Sykes would take q
can't imagine where l got iD; that is
the sum total of my wealth, Edith, and,
oh! | do want ten dollars so muchl"
"Why?' because fathers birthday
comes two weeks from Easter Sunday,
you know, and l want to give him COM
plete set of Shakespeare's works. The
only copy that we have is one that
used to be grandfather's; the print is
so terribly fine that father can'tread it
at all, and besides, Fred spilled bot
tie of mueilage over it about six weeks
ago, and the pages are glued together
now. 1t is remarkable, but that
wretched mucilage utterly refused to
stick to anything else; that is a striking
example of the total depravity of
inanimate things. There is beauti-
full set of the Handy Volume edition
in Mr.. Brereton's window, and the
price is only $40. 1t might as well
be hundred dollars, however, for all
the good it is likely to do me-" and
Kittie ended with disconsolate sigh.
Edith looked sober. 1t was so strange
not to be able to give just what one
wished to give to friend. She re-
membered that on her fathers last
birthday she had given him an illus
trated book of foreign travels which
had cost twice as much as would the
coveted set of Shakespeare. Even then,
ten-dollar bill was lying in her pocket
book, which she would willingly have
given to herpenniless friend, had Kittie
been less proud and independent. As
it was, she dared not offer her any
money, and sat for some minutes in
silent perplexity, twining Kittie's curls
around her finger, and occasionally
giving them a gentle little pull.
"Dearie, it is too bad" she said at
last, with such heartfelt sympathy in
her voice that Kitty felt somewhat COM
forted. "Why don't you paint him an
Easter card, Kttie? You can make
such beautiful ones;'' and she glanced
admiringly at a dainty card on her
bureau, which Kittie had given her at
Christmas. But Kittie shook her head
theoretically. Don't suggest such a
thing, l implorc you. What have |
given any one for the last three years
but cardsP Fred has informed me,
with brothers delightful frankness,
that he did not believe there was room
in the house. for another card, and if |
would as lief he would much prefer that
hereafter give him something else.
but you do make such lovely ones, "
persisted Edith. "Mr. Brereton hasn't
any that will compare with those
which you have given me. Twas in
his store the other day buying some
paper, when Mrs. Ainsworth came in
to look at some Easter cards. She told
him that she wanted to see some of his
handsomest ones; she wouldn't take
any that he showed her, but | am sure
that even she would have been salts
fed with yoursP" ..t.
Kittie smiled incredulously. She
knew that Edith was inclined to re.
gard her work as perfect, but Kittie'S
brothers were accustomed to criticisC
her artistic attempts, and their com.
ments were so severe that her temper
was often tried to the utmost. Thai
Edith;was really more competent Judge
than they, did not once occur to her
for she was singularly destitute of al
self-conceit.
Suddenly Edith sprang up from hel
place and looked down at Kittie will
unusual animation. "Katharine,
have an idea! No, don't arch your eye
brows as if you were surprised at the
fact; that expression is not at all be
coming to you, Perhaps, though,
she continued more slowly, you'll no
like my idea after all. 1t was simpl,
this: Mrs. Ainsworth seemed so disap
pointed at not finding any cards that
thought you might offer to paint som,
for her. She could not hep likin!
yours.
Kittie sprang from her chair, flushed
and excited. Edith, do you honestl,
think that l could make some whicl
= would suit her? l would be glad to d.
it! Mr.. Brereton really has no prett,
ones at all, l have seen them; bu
wouldn't she think me very presuming
l hardly know her."
Never mind that said Edith wit
o sagacious little nod. "I'll do the talk
ing for you because l am somewha
, acquainted with Mrs. Ainsworth. d
, you want to see her to-day.
Eyes indeed do; if wait, 1 shaI
not have the courage to go at all. Cal
l you 90 now?"
: "Yes, assented Edith, and the tw
girls were soon equipped for the walk
Edith carrying along the pretty Chr 81
! mas card. This is your .etter of in
r PRODUCTION, Kittie," she said merrily